Rory McIlroy promised to take nothing for granted after opening an enormous six-shot lead with another brilliant performance at The Open.

The Northern Irishman shot a third-round 68 at Royal Liverpool and is closing in on a momentous piece of European golf history.

Victory today would make him the first European to win three different majors since the Masters was founded in 1934 — and at the age of just 25. Even legends such as Sir Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros won only two of the four.

VIDEO Scroll down for Rory McIlroy: I feel comfortable being in the lead

In the swing of things: Rory McIlroy, in action on day three, was the leader after the first two days

McIlroy,
who began with a four-shot lead, was caught by American Rickie Fowler at
the 13th, but an amazing finish to his round saw him muster two eagles
in his last three holes to open up his sizeable advantage.

He
received a rapturous reception from the 7,000 fans packed into the
grandstands at the 18th and the thousands more who had followed him on
every hole.

‘It’s just a
pleasure to play in front of people who give you so much support and I
hope I can give them something to cheer tomorrow,’ he said.

Rory’s
father Gerry should also be in the money today, for he is in line to
claim on a bet he made a decade ago, when he placed £100 on his son
winning The Open by the age of 26 — at odds of 500-1.